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If you haven’t read Part 2 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ
Dinner had been an enjoyable affair, though it hadn’t fully engaged Leyla’s mind, as it was fully absorbed in trying to understand what was going on with her chaotic feelings about the surprisingly honorable and charismatic Lord Cavendish.
When she had first learned of her pending engagement as part of one of her father’s business arrangements she had loathed the man instantly even though she didn’t actually know him. After all, how else should one feel when bartered and discussed alongside wheat prices and water rights?
Her initial bold impulse to write a letter to the arrogant man who thought to obtain a wife in such a manner led to a very heated missive meant to inform him in no uncertain terms that she would not be accepting any proposals and that it would be in his best interest to help her devise a plan to write that part out of the arrangement. His response had led to an almost year-long correspondence. And a new friend she hadn’t considered a friend at all until he had pointed it out in person. Yet in the very same breath he easily declared his intention to follow through with proposing. And she could not figure out how it all had happened.
Though now that she was thinking on the matter of avoiding this particular entanglement, they had not brought up the subject of not proposing for months now.
Now, instead of friendship-like feelings, Leyla was battling to keep jealousy at bay. She was still surprised at the intensity of that jealousy as well. It had been hours since she had been introduced to the presumptuous Miss Traymore. The sameMiss Traymore who had managed to stay clinging to Dylan for the better part of an hour until he had excused himself to take care of matters of the estate.
Dinner had been no better. Leyla had had to watch from the far end of the table as the four young ladies seated closest to the rakish Lord vied from his attentions. And how happily he bestowed attention and profuse compliments on each of them. Their blushes were clear, even from the distance she sat. Somehow she managed to maintain polite conversation when her own dinner companions remembered her.
Escaping to the garden instead of joining the ladies in the drawing room was for her sanity. She could bear to listen to every unmarried lady and their mother’s compare their experiences regarding his Lordship. For, even at the end of the table, it was the popular choice of conversation.
In the back of her mind, Leyla wondered if he would truly honor their appointment and meet. Or perhaps he would be too busy choosing a new lady to shower with his smiles and attention. She shuddered at the thought, while at the same instant wondering why she should shudder. Hadn’t her entire objective in coming to the house party to have him break the agreement involving her?
She was so lost in her thoughts and inner debating, she did not hear his approach.
“There’s a rumor among the other ladies that you are ill and have taken to your bed.” His voice was soft, seeming to blend with the waning light. “Yet I find you out in the garden.”
She turned her face toward him. “I claimed no such thing.”
“Why did you leave?” He sat down next to her without asking.
Shifting away in order to satisfy her sense of propriety, Leyla straightened her back. “I could not stand the company any longer.”
“Your father was looking for you. In fact, he was rather pushy about when we were going to announce our engagement.”
“Maybe he has heard the same rumors as the ones Miss Traymore implied.”
Dylan flinched. “I have been unable to dissuade that girl of her supposed attachment. She is as persistent as a leech and remarkably more difficult to be rid of.”
“Your business interactions with her father may have something to do with that. After all, it’s not unheard of for marriage to be involved in such negotiations.” Leyla gave an oddly gratified chuckle. “You will be pleased to hear that your Miss Traymore was so kind as to inform me herself of the rumors between the two of you.”
He groaned. “The cheek of her.”
“”I don’t want to talk of Miss Traymore or any of the other young ladies you so blithely entertained this evening.”
He caught her tone and smiled. “What other young ladies, Leyla?”
“I said I did not want to talk about them.” She glared, even as her stomach churned with a sudden fit of butterflies.
Dylan took up both her hands in his. “Jealousy becomes you admirably, Miss Ristone.”
She tried to hide her flush but couldn’t turn away as he was still holding her hands.
“Leyla, you have been dear to me for months now. How can you not see how well we are together?”
“We haven’t been together.” She objected. “We have only been writing letters.”
“I do not write to any other young lady of my acquaintance. Nor do I wish to. Besides, you are here now. Give us a chance. See how well we can be together, in person. Allow me to convince you, without any attempts to sabotage us.”
Leyla tried to pull away but it must not have been a very strong effort for she did not succeed in the slightest. “How would you manage to convince me of feelings deeper than passing acquaintance or friendship when this entire event is filled with young ladies and their parents striving to win you?”
“And yet, the one I wish would fight for me is trying to run away.” His eyes held hers. “Leyla, I will not force you into a marriage with me. No matter what the contract with your father says. However, do not be mistaken. I am going to prove to you that we belong together.”
“How?” She whispered.
Slowly he leaned closer and she could scarcely breathe as she glanced behind him up toward the house. He stopped, just inches from giving her her first kiss and whispered, “You will see.”
With that he straightened and stood, pulling her up with him by the hands he still held.
“Miss Ristone. Would you do me the honor of going on a walk with me tomorrow afternoon?”
She blinked, still stunned by her almost first kiss, as well as the lack of an actual kiss. His nearness caused her senses to wobble as she swayed toward him. “Yes.”
His triumphant smile was little but a small sunburst ignited in her chest. “Allow me to accompany you back to the house.”
At her small nod he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, drawing her close to his side, and slowly began to walk her back toward the lights of the house.
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